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Question for women with IBS-D

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 1/14/2010 4:28 PM (GMT -5)
Hi all,
I'm 60 and have developed a new symptom. Intermittently, I get a lower abdominal burning sensation that feels just like menstrual cramps.....but I'm in menopause. Have any of the rest of you women ever had this symptom when it wasn't time to have menstrual cramps? It feels just like menstrual cramps, but apparently isn't. I went to see my OB/GYN because of it, but all my tests were normal and she said that there's no way I have enough hormones going on to get cramps.
I'm just trying to understand this pain.
Thanks.
Posted 1/14/2010 4:45 PM (GMT -5)
Are the cramps alleviated by passing gas or having a bowel movement? Or do they occur on their own? Just curious.

When my IBS is acting up, I will get spasms and pains in my lower abdominal region without experiencing a bowel movement or passing gas. It often feels like someone is wringing out my guts or squishing them up like an accordian. I have been tested for everything under the sun, and the conclusion is it is all related to my IBS-D. Hormore fluctuations often cause my IBS to flare. Not sure about menopause because I'm not there, but I bet your hormones are out of whack and that could very well cause some IBS pain.

However, if the pain continues and you're concerned it never hurts to go back to your doc (maybe your GI or Internal Practitioner rather than your OB-GYN) and ask for more testing to rule out other causes.

 

Posted 1/14/2010 7:12 PM (GMT -5)
Thanks belablue,
No, the cramps aren't relieved by passing gas or having a B.M. One thing I've noticed in the past couple of years though, is that if I have a little gas that is trapped, or have stool that doesn't move like it should, it seems to cause a long-lasting pain, once its relieved.
Maybe this is just spasms. It just feels exactly like menstrual cramps.....like a burning. Even though I haven't had a period in about 5 years, I really believe that my hormones are still fluctuating. In fact, just a couple weeks ago I had a migraine aura, which always occurred from hormones fluctuating when I was still having periods. But my OB/GYN said it wasn't possible. But I think she is probably wrong.
Thanks for your input.
Posted 1/15/2010 1:52 PM (GMT -5)
Not to knock the docs, but sometimes I truly believe us IBS sufferers known our bodies better than they do. We live with this day in day out, after all.

I can tell you that trapped gas causes awful pain, or at the very least noticeable discomfort, in my intestines.

I know it's annoying, but I wouldn't worry about it too much unless your symptoms start to drastically change or get worse. Sorry I can't be of more help.

Posted 1/15/2010 4:08 PM (GMT -5)
Sometimes I get unbearable pain - I even have thought I was rupturing more ovarian cysts and have CT and ultrasounds- my primary thinks it could be my IBS. I don't get any relief from BM or do not usually have any bloating or gas with it. My doc says could be spasming issues also. I have also found that it can be really bad if I have taken something like Immodium on days I have to go somewhere and I am having D and need to slow it down. I try to only take a 1/2 to 1 pill b/c I have noticed the pain can come on later that night when I take them.

I even had a laproscopy by my OBGYN due to these pains and all she could find was that my intestines looked "extremely active like snakes" whatever the heck that means ?!?!

I am sorry I don't have any answers but I can relate to what you are feeling - I think it might be IBS or bowel related if you have had everything checked out. I am interested if anyone else gets this and if it is made worse by Immodium type products.

Blessings,
Leah
Posted 1/16/2010 5:47 PM (GMT -5)
Thanks everyone. I'm going to keep track of if I get this pain the day after I take a xanax. Also, if I get it when I drink too much of something with Splenda in it.
Thanks for your input!
Posted 1/24/2010 6:40 PM (GMT -5)
Hey Cathy I am in my 50s and went thru the change early. Havent had a period for 4 years but I still feel like I have THOSE cramps evryonce in awhile. They are just different then my IBS cramps. You could always tell when you got that pain you were gonna start. I have had every test in the book for ALl of my IBS problems so I dont worry about them. Gotta ask though, did you have c-sections? I did and they thought I could have scar tissue peoblems. The only way to tell was surgery so we did not go any farther, I have other more pressing problems. Just wanted to let you know I have them too, you are not alone or crazy.
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